The International ConferenceThe Origin of Life and The Universe
was held with more than 500 participants in Istanbul.

Summary

A Detailed Account of The International Conference on the Origins of Life and the Universe

The International Conference on the Origin of Life and the Universe was held by the Technics & Science Research Foundation at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel’s Conference Hall on August 24, 2016. The event hosted scientists from the USA and Turkey as keynote speakers. With the attendance of academicians, researchers, students and businessmen from various countries, this important international conference took on a remarkable responsibility in accentuating the importance of science, presenting scientific truths and pronouncing the scientific data conveyed by the latest scientific developments.

The keynote speakers of the International Conference, which was held with more than 500 participants, were esteemed scientists who are experts in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and astrophysics. They have authored countless books and addressed audiences at conferences and universities around the world.

Following the breakfast, the conference commenced with A Moment of Silence for Martyrs of 15th of July and the National Anthem. The opening speech was delivered by Altuğ Berker, the Former President of the Preservation of National Values. In his speech, he explained the worldwide impact of the works of Mr. Adnan Oktar, the Honorary Chairman of the Foundation. The presentation film provided insight to the audience about the works and activities of Mr. Adnan Oktar, whose works inspired the entire arrangement of this conference.

Dr. Fazale Rana, who is a biochemist and the Vice President of Reasons to Believe, delivered the first speech of the day with the title, “Why do I believe God exists?” The topic of the second speech, delivered by molecular biologist Dr. Anjeanette Roberts, was “Equivocating Evolution.” Following interesting presentations and speeches, a question and answer session was held and the audience asked the scientists several questions. After the amazing dance show put on by the Caucasian dance team, there was a lunch held for the attendees and guests at the Restaurant Manzara in the Conrad Bosphorus Hotel.

At the fossil exhibition held after the lunch, many fossils, which have not changed for millions of years, were displayed. The fossil exhibition, which excited great attention from the audience, shows the historical tracks of today’s living beings and documents the fact that living beings have not changed over millions of years.

After a break, astrophysicist Dr. Jeff Zweerink was invited to the stand and gave his speech, entitled “The Beginning and Creation of the Universe.” After this speech, which captured considerable attention, Brain Surgeon Dr. Oktar Babuna gave his presentation, entitled “The Collapse of the Theory of Evolution and the Fact of Creation.” The last spokesperson of the second session was again Dr. Fazale Rana, with a speech entitled “Human Origins: Common Design or Common Descent.” After the question and answer portion, there was a break for tea and the conference ended with the closing speech given by Dr. Cihat Gundogdu and the plaque ceremony organized for our valuable speakers and distinguished guests.

The evidence and scientific arguments provided by our speakers include information that will lead the world of science to the good and right, and enlighten the Turkish youth as well as the whole world. For this reason, our international conference themed “The Origin of Life and the Universe” was an utterly important and influential initiative that will shed light to the whole world and the future.

Speakers

Dr. Fazale Rana

Vice President of Research & Apologetics, Reasons to Believe

Biochemist Dr. Rana writes and speaks extensively about evidence for creation emerging from biochemistry, genetics, human origins, and synthetic biology. He addresses science-faith hot topics through books - including Creating Life in the Lab and The Cell's Design - as well as articles, videos, podcasts, television and radio interviews and speaking engagements. He has addressed audiences at over 500 universities, churches, and conferences around the world.

Dr. Fazale Rana graduated with highest honors from West Virginia State College with a BS in chemistry and went on to earn a PhD in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry from Ohio University, where he was twice awarded the Donald Clippinger Research Award. He pursued postdoctoral studies in the biophysics of cell membranes at the Universities of Virginia and Georgia.

Several articles by Dr. Rana have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals - such as Biochemistry, Applied Spectroscopy, FEBS Letters, Journal of Microbiological Methods and Journal of Chemical Education - and he has delivered numerous presentations at international scientific meetings. Dr. Fazale Rana understood during this biochemistry education that evolutionary scenarios couldn't explain the origin of life and that life had to be created by a Creator and devoted his life to explaining this truth to people.

Dr. Anjeanette "AJ" Roberts

Research Scholar from Reasons to Believe

Dr. Roberts holds a BS in chemistry at the University of Tulsa, a PhD in molecular and cell biology from the University of Pennsylvania. From 1997 to 2001, she conducted postdoctoral research in viral pathogenesis and “proof-of-concept” vaccine studies in Dr. John Rose’s lab at Yale University. From 2006 to 2013, she served as an assistant professor of graduate education for the University of Virginia’s microbiology faculty and directed the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program in Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases. From 2013 to 2015, she was a visiting fellow with the Rivendell Institute at Yale.

Dr. Roberts has coauthored over 40 articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. She has also presented at numerous national and international scientific conferences and lectured at various institutions around the world. In 2005, she received the NIH Merit Award for her contribution to research in infectious diseases. Currently, she is working on revealing the harmony between harmonizing science and religion, and evidence of creation in bio-chemistry.

Dr. Jeff Zweerink

Research Scholar from Reasons to Believe

Astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink writes and speaks on the compatibility of faith and science and on evidence for creation from a multiverse theory, dark energy and dark matter, and exoplanets. His speaking engagements take him to universities, churches, and other venues around the world, including high schools and youth groups.

Prior to joining RTB, Jeff Zweerink spent much time working on the STACEE and VERITAS gamma-ray telescopes and was involved in research projects such as the Solar Two Project and the Whipple Collaboration. He still holds a part-time position at UCLA and is working on GAPS, a balloon experiment seeking to detect dark matter. Jeff Zweerink is coauthor on more than 30 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, such as Astrophysical Journal, and Astroparticle Physics, and Astrobiology, as well as numerous conference proceedings.

Dr. Oktar Babuna

(MD, Neurosurgeon) from TSRF

Neurosurgeon Dr. Oktar Babuna has completed his medical education and expertise in Istanbul, London and New York. He has been making research on the fact of God’s Creation and the fallacy of Darwinism for decades and has attended hundreds of conferences as speaker in representation of Mr. Adnan Oktar and the Technics & Science Research Foundation in many countries such as the USA, UK, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, Israel, Switzerland, etc.

He also frequently appears on international television channels and radios where he gives a detailed account of the scientific evidence against evolution theory. Dr. Oktar Babuna is a regular guest on A9 TV where he makes presentations and elaborates on the proofs of God’s existence based on various fields of science.

Conference proceeding

The Origin of Life and the Universe

the conference proceeding

Photo gallery

The International Conference on the Origin of Life and the Universe was held by the Technics & Science Research Foundation at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel’s Conference Hall on August 24, 2016.

TSRF

The work of the TSRF is inspired by the books of its Honorary President, Mr. Adnan Oktar, a prominent Muslim intellectual of our times, who writes under the pen-name Harun Yahya.

OUR OBJECTIVE

The hallmarks of Islam are compassion, love, forgiveness and peace. Harun Yahya and the TSRF community believe that this understanding will help the world recover from the ills of the materialistic ideologies of the modern age. And they will continue to spread the truth of faith to the people of the 21st century.